The Ten Commandments Project Blog
The Big Picture
How does the Decalogue serve as a Community Code of Conduct? Abraham Joshua Heschel answered this question in his seminal work The Prophets. In addressing Hebrew Bible Prophets’ role, he explains the Community Code of Conduct’s nature. His words also bring to light a modern problem. Societal concerns have become distorted and contorted. The End…
Ha’Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
These go to eleven Nigel Tufnel Moses, in the Ha’Azinu Torah Portion, lectures to the Children of Israel their covenantal responsibilities. In his speech, Moses raises parental responsibilities of the requirement to teach their progeny the commandments. While the Decalogue served as a Community Code of Conduct, the Commandments did not fully lay out the…
Who’s Testing Who? The Akedah
Who’s actually being tested with the Akedah? Rosh Hashanah’s Second Day Torah Portion feature the famous Binding of Isaac. With its holiday reading, Abraham is not tested for his near sacrifice of his son Isaac. His test was a few thousands of years ago on Mt. Moriah. Rather, those presently reading, listening, and discussing the…
Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale
During the holiday season, sometimes we have to be the “bigger” person. Being largesse is often necessary during the High Holiday season. Rosh Hashanah- the New Year- and Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement- often come with close encounters of the uncomfortable kind. This especially happens on neutral grounds; synagogues and places of worship. Frankly,…
Letting Go: Vayelech
Like Moses, parents know. Their best efforts in instilling values often become futile. Both rebellion and peer pressure eradicate their influence. In the end, parents are left wondering whether they made a difference? Did their Jeanie leave the bottle altogether or is there some redemption in store down the road? In the Torah Portion Vayelech,…
Principles vs. Societal Pursuits
How can we judge societies? Are there principles applied to do so? Does the Hebrew Bible offer a methodology? The Hebrew Bible, in fact, yielded at least two philosophies for judge both nations, their leaders and inhabitants. The Hebrew Bible’s significance on this topic is its extensive period of observation. The Bible’s writings address the…
In Abstentia: Nitzavim
We were all at Mt. Sinai To fully understand the Ten Commandments, one must not only explore the law, but also the spirituality attached to it. Legally, the Decalogue presents as a contract; a covenant. With contracts, there are parties. The Ten Commandments’ two parties are God and the Children of Israel. These two are…
Forbidden Fruit? Ki Tavo
Deuteronomy’s Garden of Eden connection is undeniable. The Torah’s beginning and ending theologically converge in Ki Tavo’s fruit-filled moment. A particular Ki Tavo commandment addresses an ultimate Torah issue. It brings a greater understanding of God’s role with humanity. In the end, Ki Tavo breathes new understanding into the Tree of Knowledge of Good and…
The Bigger Picture: Ki Teitzei
What is the Torah’s Big Picture? The answer can be achieved by making sense of a one particular perplexing commandment from the Torah Portion Ki Teitzei. Before doing so, one must understand that the Pentateuch, some opine, was intended to be a nation’s law. To accomplish this goal, the Torah is crafted with commandments that…
Thou Shalt Not Procrastinate? Ki Teitzei
Is procrastination a commandment violation? The Torah Portion Ki Teizei addresses this put-off subject tied to the Decalogue. In a passage exploring the significance of the passage of time, the Ten Commandments becomes relevant. Beyond excoriating the usual suspects- all of us who delay fulfilling commitments, the Torah implores people to do one of the…
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